Dulagarl: the Lifted H6 Forester

Well, I bought it, and I have to say that what SKT has done is truly inspired.

It’s a freaking rocket on the bitumen, and it has an enormous amount of grunt offroad.

Engine transplant thread is here:

https://www.ausubaru.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16564

Here’s a little log of bring it home, and it’s first offroad trip once home.

Jan 29th I flew to Coolangatta. Scott picked me up at the airport and we went for a drive. It didn’t take long for me to be convinced that I should buy this. Sure, it had a couple of issues, for example some worn out bushes in the front end, and a cooling issue, but I could tell that this was a VERY serious vehicle.

Brought it home via Lismore and Casino and then to Tamworth for the night. Next day was Tamworth to Narrandera. Narrandera to Melbourne on the Minday was relatively easy after all of that.

Saw some amazing country in the process. Didn’t have time for many snaps, but here are a few…

Some of the country just into NSW after casino…

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Took a detour via the outer solar system…

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Actually, that virtual solar system drive from siding spring observatory is a good idea. That pic was taken in Gilgandra.

While on the space bent, couldn’t resist a couple of pics with the Parkes Radio Telescope…

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It was 38 degrees Celsius when those shots were taken, and it didn’t get cooler for hours. Unsurprisingly, the vehicle got a bit hot just south of Forbes.

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A bit further south past West Wyalong, and there was still water around from December. Ridiculously flat country with paddocks turned to lakes…

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So, when I got home, I went straight to the mechanic and got an aircon service. I also consulted about improving airflow to the radiator. I looked at pics of offroad bars on Outbacks on the Subaxtreme site, and also the bar on the latest Forester. Armed with that info I decided to cut some holes in the bulbar, and this is the result…

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Gotta love the grille mesh from supacheap auto!

So, I then set up the GPS on the dash with some adhesive Velcro…

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and connected the ECU to the laptop to monitor engine performance and temperatures.

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(BTW: I think I might have resolved the “cooling issues”!)

... part two to follow
 
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You had agreeed value yeah? cause you have so many mods it would have to be fair more than market value. hope it works out.
 
Gidday Greg

That's a real bugger, mate :(.
Always the nightmare that our cars will break a long way from home, as every difficulty is multiplied many times over.

I am trying to arrange trucking it back to Vic to have it repaired, but am in a vicious circle with insurance. They say they want the NSW repairer to quote on the repair before they will agree to freight it: I say the NSW repair quote is irrelevant because the standards between Vic and NSW vary.

At worst, I have a quote for freight from Dubbo for just over $500. I may just pay that to get it here and stuff the hassle of arguing.

Stay tuned.

Could you rent a car trailer and drag it back here yourself?
Or does that work out even more expensive than $500 for the 900 kms?
 
Oh Gee - that's no good! I do hope it works out!
 
Thanks for all of your finger crossing and wishes for success.

Today's development is that the vehicle will be towed to Melbourne for assessment. I am very happy about this.
 
Good to hear, mate.

A better outcome.
Better repair facilities and options here too; I would imagine.
 
Thanks for all of your finger crossing and wishes for success.

Today's development is that the vehicle will be towed to Melbourne for assessment. I am very happy about this.

I'm hoping that you have RACY 'Gold' level membership.

Free towing from anywhere in the country...
 
I'm hoping that you have RACY 'Gold' level membership.

Free towing from anywhere in the country...

No, I don't have RACV Gold. Would consider it though.

Insurance is paying for the towing, but the cost of that will not be considered a part of the repair cost. Pretty happy about this.
 
That's good about your insurance, that it isn't part of the cost.
Don't believe anyone with access to top RACV cover should be without it. It isn't expensive.
 
It's back in Melbourne!!!!!

Insurer just rang to say that car has arrived in melbourne, and will be taken to my preferred repairer for quote and assessment!

Now the real work starts: crunching the numbers to avoid a write off.

I'll talk to the repairer on Thursday when we get it up on a hoist.
 
Just visited the vehicle at the car hospital. It's all looking and sounding very positive.

No work done yet, but I have seen the quote for the necessary work, and it will be a very long way below write off value.

Quote has been sent to insurer, and all we need now is approval. Very hopeful at this stage.
 
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